Northampton County residents who qualify and are struggling to afford heating costs can seek assistance through the Emergency Fuel Assistance Program, starting Nov. 12, 2024. The program, administered by the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging, offers a one-time payment of $800, with $780 allocated for fuel assistance and $20 covering administrative costs by Project of Easton.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 60 years old, reside in Northampton County (excluding Bethlehem City), meet HUD income guidelines and present proof of household income. Applicants must also demonstrate that their fuel tank is at or below 1/4 full. Required documentation includes proof of residency (current lease agreement, a landlord’s letter and two pieces of mail, including one bill), and a shut-off notice is required for those seeking assistance with non-oil heat sources.
Before applying to the Emergency Fuel Assistance Program, individuals must have exhausted their Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits or demonstrate that they were denied LIHEAP assistance.
Interested individuals can contact the Northampton County Information & Referral Emergency Services at 610-559-3270 or 610-829-4800 to apply. Following the application, a Northampton County Area Agency on Aging representative will conduct a home visit to assess eligibility.
This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.
